Commute Trip Reduction

Are you a company with 100 or more employees at a single worksite scheduled to begin work between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.? If so, this information may be important to you!

What is Commute Trip Reduction?

In 1991, the State of Washington adopted the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Law, which required cities in the most populous counties of our State to develop and implement a CTR ordinance. In 2006, the CTR law was updated through the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act, which refocuses efforts to cities along congested corridors.

Is my company affected by the CTR Law?

Affected are all private, public, or non-profit employers with 100 or more full-time employees (working at least 35 hours per week for 12 continuous months) at a single worksite who are scheduled to begin work between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on two or more weekdays. A checklist is available to help you determine whether your company is affected. For specific requirements see Chapter 14.40 of the city’s Transportation Code.

What is required of these employers affected by the CTR Law?

If your Bellevue worksite falls within the parameters above, you are required to notify the city by calling 425-452-7896 or emailing kmjohnson@bellevuewa.gov. If affected, your company is required to develop and implement an employee commute program to reduce drive-alone commute trips made to the site. Additionally, you must:

Designate an employee transportation coordinator to administer the program;

Distribute information to employees about alternatives to drive-alone commuting;

Conduct an employee survey to measure drive-alone commuting and vehicle miles traveled at least once every two years;

Make a good-faith effort to meet goals and include additional program elements as needed;

File regular progress reports with the city.

Will the City of Bellevue assist my company to develop a program?

The City of Bellevue is excited to help your company develop its commute program! If your organization is affected by the CTR Law, it is eligible for free technical assistance from King County Metro staff on behalf of the city with meeting CTR requirements and developing a successful program. Assistance includes:

Site analysis;

Program development;

Training;

Program implementation and promotions;

Employee surveys; and

Program reporting and evaluation.

In addition, your organization may be eligible for tax credits to help offset the cost of your investment.

Let's work together to reduce commute trips

The City of Bellevue has worked with CTR-affected employers for twenty years. Together, we have made significant progress in developing and implementing programs that offer employees more and better commute choices and, as a result, take cars off our roadways. From 1993 to 2014, CTR-affected employers in Bellevue have lowered their drive-alone rate by 12 percentage points, from 74% to 62%!

To discuss your organization's status or the requirements of the CTR Law, contact the city's Commute Trip Reduction Coordinator, Kate Johnson, at 425-452-7896 or kmjohnson@bellevuewa.gov.

Not legally bound by the CTR law?

Your company can still gain assistance through Choose Your Way Bellevue! On behalf of the city, Bellevue’s local transportation management association, TransManage, a transportation service of the Bellevue Downtown Association, provides expert assistance setting up commute benefits programs, staffing for employee events, workshops, and more. To learn more, click here or contact TransManage at 425-990-3097 or info@cywb.org.